The IIE Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF) is honored to partner with the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation on its launch of the Philipp Schwartz Initiative. With funding available beginning in summer 2016, the Initiative will allow up to 20 scientists and scholars who are under threat from political persecution and war to continue their research for two to three years at German universities and research institutions. IIE-SRF will provide partnering institutions with assistance in identifying and evaluating candidates, pre- and post-arrival advice, and transition support for scholars going off the fellowship. In addition, IIE-SRF will collaborate with the Humboldt Foundation and Scholars at Risk to organize events for German universities, with IIE-SRF in particular aiming to convey best practices in scholar rescue to German institutions. The launch of the Phillip Schwartz Initiative comes at a critical time when scholars around the world need sanctuary from persecution and violence more than ever.

Illinois newspaper Journal Star interviewed several Syrian students attending Monmouth College, an IIE Syria Consortium member that has become "something of an academic refuge for 20 young Syrians whose lives—and educations—have been interrupted by civil war." One student, Shammas, troubled by the lack of public empathy about Syria’s crisis said that it is important to understand the similarities of people from the two countries. He told the Journal Star, "We actually had a country once, where we lived very much like people here live. We had a life, and almost in the blink of an eye, it was lost. That should be a reason for compassion, rather than fear." A California professor pointed out that  young Syrians will either become productive members of the societies where they settle or the building blocks of a new Syria.

The webinar explores how to articulate transferable skills gained from international exchange in a career search (e.g., in interviews, cover letters, CVs, and résumés). Moderated by Dr. Allan E. Goodman, IIE President and CEO, the webinar features a discussion with Susan Riehl, an experienced Recruiter at IIE. In addition, a Fulbright and Gilman alumna, Alyssa Surina, shares her insights. The webinar recording is part of a new webinar series for IIE-administered program alumni and friends. IIE has also created a comprehensive career development publication that offers guided evaluations, interview tips, and résumé and cover letter examples to help program returnees articulate skills acquired abroad in a career search.

From launching the Fulbright Arctic initiative and Fulbright Millennial Trains Project to strengthening our partnerships with community colleges and celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 2015 was a great year for the Fulbright Program. View more of this year’s highlights: